Iconic alt rockers Pixies are set to make their much-awaited Irish return this summer, with shows announced for Galway Airport's Summer Sessions and Dublin's RDS.

Renowned for their gritty, incendiary and idiosyncratic sound, Pixies remain one of, if not the most influential and pioneering bands of the late '80s alt rock movement. Forming the basis for the '90s grunge scene, going on to inspire the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, The Strokes and Weezer, Pixies have undoubtedly made an irrevocably lasting, punk-inflected dint on the face of music. Suffice to say, the band's cult reputation precedes them. With their signature “loudquietloud” sonics and offbeat lyricism, quirky, catchy melodies have always been Pixies’ calling card, through seven genre-defining studio albums, including the Gold-certified Surfer Rosa, and the iconic Platinum Doolittle — records which cemented the band's much-deserved place in the hallowed annals of rock history.

Pixies at The Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 16.7.2022 Copyright Colm Kelly

After disbanding in 1993, Pixies launched their reunion tour in April 2004, playing to sell-out crowds across the globe for 15 years, a far longer period of time than they were a band originally. With intentions of writing recording, and releasing new music, the band secretly booked studio time in Wales for the fall of 2012. Six days into the recording, founding bassist Kim Deal decided to leave the band; leaving Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering to carry on, eventually releasing Indie Cindy in 2014, their fifth studio album and their first in more than two decades.

A mature yet visceral amalgam of gruesome folk, ornate ballroom pop and brutal rock, 2022's Doggerel was met with critical praise, heralding in a new era of Pixies. Despite the band approaching their 38^th year together, crowds remain as diverse as ever, Pixies distinct sound garnering a whole new generation of music obsessives year-on-year, some of whom were not even born during Pixies 1.0.

Doggerel, Pixies.

Seventy-five minutes of the band playing anything they want, in whatever order they want, the classics and the new gems, Pixies gigs are emphatic displays of alt rock excellence, simultaneously electrifying and intimately lo-fi. Presently consisting of Black Francis (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), David Lovering (percussion, backing vocals), Joey Santiago (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Paz Lenchantin (bass, violin, vocals, keys), Pixies have rightfully earned a legendary reputation as a prolific live band. Pixies sets regularly rack up an impressive 30+ songs played - made even more impressive by the fact that there are no pre-planned setlists or soundchecks before the band walk onto the stage to play. No two Pixies shows are ever the same, so catch them while you still can...

Pixies will play Galway Airport's Summer Sessions on the 27th of August next summer, with another date at Dublin's RDS on the 29th.

Tickets for the upcoming live shows are available from November 24th at 9am via Ticketmaster, with prices starting at €‎59.90 including booking fee.